WISCONSIN ARTS BOARD

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Sampling of Strong Applications from the FY10 Applicant Pool

Please note: The following applications received high scores from the FY10 grant proposal review panel. This should not be interpreted to mean that these are absolutely perfect applications in which every question is answered perfectly and every section is addressed perfectly. These are simply very strong applications that very effectively communicated how their projects aligned with the purpose of the Creative Communities grant program. We provide them here so that those interested can see a sampling of applications that have succeeded in the past.

Local Arts

1. Wormfarm Institute

Wormfarm Panel Comments

Strengths:

• Extremely high cultural and artistic value
• Great concept
• Reasonable request for funding, a well thought out budget
• Incredible mix of funding sources - very strong - indicative of true collaboration
• Pilot project is well thought through
• Entire application very well written - excellent attention to providing the detail
• Support materials very strong
• Very clever marketing
• Great integration of culture, art, agriculture - including it in urban landscape as well as rural
• Good letter of support from partner
• Great location for the Milwaukee kiosk
• Great potential for media attention
• Good longevity potential for the stands themselves
• Evaluation - includes a post-season focus group and the use of a tracking coupon

Weaknesses:

• More publicity of this project would help ensure that it does not "get lost"

Comments:
It would be great to see even more stands around the city and the state in the future - this has the potential for real lasting impact.

2. Perfect Harmony Men's Chorus

Perfect Harmony Panel Comments

Strengths:

• Very timely collaboration between these three groups
• Focus on the important educational component of this project
• Positive for the state
• Clearly communicate "we're stepping up, making this work, delivering a high quality art experience for and with this community"
• Great letter of support for the community theater
• Well written grant application
• Blogging is part of the evaluation, which is smart and innovative
• Reasonable request for an interesting event

Weaknesses:

• Evaluation - consider doing a survey to evaluate more deeply the quality of internal engagement, maybe a focus group

Comments:

• They are going to fill this house.
• Overall application (very well written)

Arts in Education

1. Artists Working in Education

Artists Working in Education Panel Comments

Strengths:

• The project goes straight to the children
• Great to see a sample lesson plan re: a curriculum in this relaxed setting.
• Planned by people with strong arts education background.
• Pre-professionals are involved.
• The applicant seems to be superior at managing resources.
• Great public value.
• Very exciting program.
• The visual art part - they're not just doing projects for products. They're using one concept and building on it, expanding. Very good. The best kind of art.
• Very high commitment from local government.
• Strong evaluation materials.

Weaknesses:

• There isn't enough diversity among the teachers/leaders. They should be diverse since the project is going into the inner city.

Comments/Suggestions/Observations:

• The high commitment from local government raises a question of long-term sustainability.
• Can they broaden their base of support?
• Focus groups might be a good way to draw in other dimensions of the community. A great way to make connections. It's in their evaluation plans but add that to the results and use to inform next year's planning.

Folk & Traditional Arts

1. Oneida Nation Arts Program

Oneida Nation Panel Comments

Strengths:

• It targets an identified need to address all kinds of music in the community.
• Goal is to involve all students, not just Gifted & Talented.
• Substantial in-kind match
• Well conceived project, well detailed application. Well written
• Passes along tradition, which is what the folk arts are all about.
• Good focus on children and language.

Weaknesses

• Evaluation is fuzzy.
• What are the plans for continuing the pilot project if successful? Would be helpful to understand how this fits into a greater vision.

Comments/Suggestions/Observations:

• The importance of the project is the continuation of the Oneida culture, especially via the language. Its decline is of great concern.
• Are people not of the Oneida Nation able to take these classes, especially since these are public funds?

2. Edvard Grieg Chorus

Edvard Greig Chorus Panel Comments

Strengths:

• Thorough application
• Good letters of support
• Strong work samples
• Small group of very dedicated people with a plan. They know what they want to do and how they want to get there.
• The chorus is traditional. It's an important part of the community.
• Made a good case for why they need to maintain this kind of tradition.
• One of the stronger applications. Very clear on what they're going to do.

Comments/Suggestions/Observations:

• Does the chorus qualify in a strict definition of the folk arts?

 

Updated: October 14, 2009